Memories and stories from more than half a century of writing, reporting, and ranting by a Minnesota sports icon. Minneapolis Star Tribune senior columnist Patrick Reusse is a legendary fixture in Minnesota sports. Like his late colleague Sid Hartman, he is known by his legion of fans (and those who find him curmudgeonly) by one name: Reusse! Starting as a sportswriter in 1965 and still going strong in 2021, Reusse has covered every major sporting event imaginable and met scores of unforgettable characters during his long career in newspapers, radio, and television. Reusse's unique writing style and eye for human-interest angles have made him a master storyteller. He has collected a trove of stories along the way: from growing up in tiny Fulda as the son of an undertaker, to landing a columnist gig at a big-city newspaper; from covering Tom Kelly's Twins championship teams, to handing out fictional turkeys every Thanksgiving; from Olympic triumphs and failures, to countless major moments from Twins Cities sports teams. Reusse has seen a lot in his more than half a century reporting on sports in Minnesota and around the country. With his coauthor and fellow Star Tribune sports journalist Chip Scoggins, he brings together here his favorite stories, characters, and memories in that distinctive Reusse voice. “Reusse has said his favorite team to cover ever was the ’77 Twins. Ever is a long time for this Minnesota storyteller. Enjoy this read.” — Rod Carew , former Minnesota Twins all-star, 1977 American League MVP, and National Baseball Hall of Famer “There are reporters and there are writers. Pat is a writer and an excellent one. He can take any subject and present it in an enjoyable way.” — Bud Grant , former Minnesota Vikings head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer “Reusse was nearby with his notebook everywhere from Valderrama in Spain for the 1997 Ryder Cup to the Resorters at my home course in Alexandria [Minnesota]. Endless stories went into those notebooks, and the best are right here.” — Tom Lehman , Minnesota golf legend and 1996 British Open champion “Patrick is a timeless legend who speaks to and has had an impact on every generation through his craft. He is beloved for his humor and his raw and honest reporting.” — Natalie Darwitz , former Minnesota Gopher All-American, three-time Olympic medalist, and US Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Reusse has been a sportswriter since 1965 and has earned too many awards to mention. In 2019, he was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Sports columnist Chip Scoggins joined the Star Tribune in 2000 and is a three-time Minnesota Sportswriter of the Year. The baby boomers—and the next generation, too—were spoiled on a damn good first decade of baseball here in Minnesota. Just a few years after reaching the World Series in 1965, the Twins put together more powerhouse teams in 1969 and ’70, winning nearly 100 games both years. They just ran into a tough Baltimore Orioles squad in the playoffs. The on-field successes built the team’s popularity, and the Twins led the American League in total attendance for the decade of the ’60s. It was a great time for baseball in Minnesota. The following decade was not as flush. There was no “Cheap Calvin” Griffith in the ’60s; “Cheap Calvin” coincided with Rod Carew’s heyday in the ’70s. For that next generation of Twins fans, Carew is their man because he was the only thing they had. There are all kinds of 70-year-olds like me for whom Tony Oliva was our favorite player, and there are all kinds of 50-year-olds for whom Carew was their favorite player. I take great pleasure in knowing that I’m one of the few guys who can needle Rodney. I told him after he recovered from his heart attack, “You and I are the same age. Too bad you didn’t take care of yourself like me.” I called him Sir Rodney in print. He was one of a kind.